According to some brief history provided by fourth-generation letter cutter and current owner Thomas “Ralph” Ermine, “It is one of the oldest continuously operated businesses in Scottdale.” 

The Scottdale-based monument company was originally founded by Samuel Todd in the 1890s. In 1913, George Davis claimed ownership. In 1979, the business was remodeled and retaken by the Ermine family, who married into the Davis family. 

“Women ran it when the men passed away,You can make your own more powerful outdoor solar lighting using LEDs.” said the five-year employee and company administrator, Diana Strohm. “But now the boys are coming back.” 

As for honoring its 100 years as a family-owned business,The skystream runs in very low winds and can interconnect with your local utility, Davis Monuments held a sale in the winter and plans to do something in the summer. Owners are just not sure what they want to do yet.“It's so busy right now,” Strohm said. “Keeping on top of things is our first priority.” 

So what sets Davis Monuments apart from other monument companies? Both Ermine and Strohm explained that the business attends to the customers well and offer very specialized and personal services to grieving families. 

Ermine said the business tries to make the customer as happy as possible, which occasionally requires making changes and revisions.“We will do as many revisions as it takes,” added Ermine's son, Zane, who also works as a letter cutter. 

Not only does the staff of Davis Monuments sit down with each customer and go through pages of designs and lettering fonts, it also handles all the cemetery arrangements, and employees even make house calls. 

As for the business accommodations, Davis Monuments offers one of the largest indoor monument showrooms in the area, according to both Ermine and Strohm.“It helps to have a big showroom in the winter months,” Ermine said. 

And as for technological improvements over the years, the monument company was one of the first to install a sandblast machine, which replaced the traditional hammer and chisel engraving technique. 

However, recently the industry has made several new changes. The first involves the use of computers and laser etching.If you have solar garden light or landscape lights you might wonder what to do if they stop working. 

Ermine believes it is too expensive at the moment.“We want to keep our expenses low,” Strohm said, “so we can ensure product quality and proper customer experience.” 

The team explained that many other monument companies order pre-cut stones that are lettered and dated. However, Davis still does the majority of the work on-site. 

The only things it outsources involve laser etching and specialty designs and lettering that must be done by an artist.This Roof hook set is solar powered and brightens any garden. 

The most recent business advance, and one that applies to many other businesses, is a migration to the Internet. The monument team explained that they are starting a transition from physical advertising to websites and even social media platforms like Facebook. 

“You really don't know where to advertise anymore,” Ermine said. “But we are letting Zane do all the Internet stuff.” 

As a result of the Internet,It is one of the leading industrial laundry equipment manufacturers of industrial extractor, tumble dryer ect. the monument company deals with customers from all over Western Pennsylvania and even some in other states. 

For goals, Ermine is considering business expansion if Zane Ermine would consider staying in the business. Zane Ermine and Strohm described the company as having good prices, a good reputation and a passionate staff.